Carpentersville's Golfview meets Healthier School Challenge

The students of Golfview Elementary Magnet School in Carpentersville earned a special celebration amid much fanfare last week — but there was nary a cake nor sugary snack in sight.

In a gymnasium packed with gold balloons, mascots, local and national dignitaries, and a national champion ice skater, Golfview was honored for being the first noncharter school in Illinois to receive the Gold Award of Distinction, the highest certification level in the USDA's Healthier U.S. School Challenge.

That Golfview earned the rare distinction given its many other challenges was significant. Nearly 85 percent of students come from low-income families and nearly 60 percent have limited proficiency in English, according to Golfview's 2010 School Report Card.

"We need to start showing that our students do enjoy eating healthy foods," Community Unit School District 300 Superintendent Kenneth Arndt said, noting that there were those who said "we couldn't win this, and we did."

Golfview began the application process in 2009 for the challenge, which sets guidelines for school nutrition and physical activity.

The school began increasing time for structured physical activity and nutrition education, and added healthier choices — including more fresh vegetables, fruits, whole-grain breads and low-fat milk — for breakfast, lunch and snacks. Before Friday's ceremony, government officials shared a lunch with students of whole-grain rotini pasta and salad.

The district has adopted the USDA Gold Standard lunch requirements at all 17 schools, said Allison Strupeck, a district spokeswoman.

"We felt that we wanted to be part of the changes to lead our students into healthier lifestyles," she said. "At this rate, the future was daunting."

She said some students might not have good role models at home, so it becomes the district's responsibility to teach the students to avoid junk food and stay active and "to teach them to be prepared to learn and succeed in life."

Second-grade teacher Pamela Carlos said her students seem to appreciate the more healthful menu choices. She's tried to extend that from the lunchroom to the classroom by buying fresh fruits and vegetables to reward her students in class. She said their favorites are kiwi, blackberries and tangerines.

Third-grader Lashae Phillips said she mostly appreciates the cucumbers she eats in school.

Friday's festivities included an appearance by brothers Rockne and Collin Brubaker. Both are nationally acclaimed, medal-winning figure skaters with Team USA, and both attended District 300 schools.

"Surround yourself with friends who make you feel comfortable with living a healthy lifestyle," Rockne Brubaker, a two-time national pair skating champion, told the students.

Beyond the celebrity appearances and Friday's party atmosphere, administrators admit, the longer-term success of fostering true and lasting changes will be hard to measure.

Golfview Principal Trish Whitecotton said broader research suggests the school's efforts could have a positive effect both physically and academically. She acknowledged that the school has a "huge learning curve" with implementing the changes and monitoring the benefits.

"Now, I don't know if we will see any immediate payback, but when you have proper nutrition and more physical exercise, it is supposed to increase the child's ability for academic success because it stimulates the brain," Whitecotton said. "I'm hoping we see it over time."

Whitecotton said the added 90 minutes a week of physical activity at school, which can include activities such as dancing in place in the classroom or structured soccer games outside, is a bonus to the many children who typically go home after school and sit on the computer or play video games.

"They are not necessarily playing outside like kids used to before the age of technology," she said. "We are making sure they are getting additional activity so that we are helping fight the childhood obesity that is occurring in our country."

"As a school we will investigate ... (how to) keep moving forward," Whitecotton said. "I'm trying to keep in mind the bigger picture. You have to take baby steps to get there. It is a change of culture."